'The last three years have been very poor in terms of performance' - Wasim Jaffer shares his views on Hardik Pandya's second MI stint

Wasim Jaffer has offered a critical assessment of Hardik Pandya's second stint at Mumbai Indians, stating that the all-rounder's performances over the last three years have fallen short of expectations. Jaffer's comments come at a time when MI management faces crucial decisions regarding Hardik's future with the franchise, including whether to retain him as captain or explore other options.

According to Jaffer, both Hardik's individual performances as a player and his leadership as captain have not matched the standards expected of him at Mumbai Indians. The former India cricketer believes the MI management will need to evaluate the situation carefully and determine the best path forward for the franchise.

"A player like Hardik Pandya is someone you would never want to lose. However, I think his performances should have been better. Considering the expectations we have from Hardik Pandya, his performances have not been as good as expected. So, I think it depends on MI and what their thought process is. Will they continue with him?" Wasim Jaffer wondered during a discussion on his YouTube channel.

Jaffer's assessment of Hardik's captaincy and performance

The former India opener wondered how Hardik would react if MI decide to remove him from his captaincy position. Jaffer added that any franchise would want to acquire the services of Hardik because of his match-winning ability and all-round skills.

"The first thing I feel is that perhaps the captaincy has not been very successful for him. So, will Mumbai Indians retain him as captain or remove him? And if they remove him, will Hardik Pandya take it in his stride? That is one thing you will have to look at. Obviously, a player like Hardik Pandya is someone that any team or franchise would absolutely want," Jaffer said.

"Whether it is CSK, GT, KKR, or any other team, every franchise wants a player like Hardik Pandya who can bat at No. 4 or No. 5, bowl three to four overs, and is a clutch player. If he goes to any franchise, he has the ability to win three to four matches for you," he added.

The assessment comes after Mumbai Indians' recent struggles in the IPL. The franchise finished ninth in the 2026 season, winning only four out of fourteen league-stage matches. This poor performance has intensified scrutiny on Hardik's captaincy and his overall contribution to the team.

Also Read: 'If Delhi Capitals even offer him the captaincy, it is better for him to say no' - Wasim Jaffer's advice to Rishabh Pant for IPL 2027

Hardik's value in the IPL market

Hardik was traded to Mumbai Indians and appointed captain ahead of the 2024 season. In his first year as captain, MI finished last place with four wins and ten losses, accumulating eight points. The 2025 season showed improvement, with MI climbing to fourth place and qualifying for the playoffs, reaching the Eliminator stage. However, the 2026 campaign saw a significant decline, raising questions about the sustainability of Hardik's leadership and his form as a player.